Everyone thinks about sex. It has been part of our collective psyche, part of our everyday lives, and explored by every form of art since the beginning of time. One could even argue that erotic themed art is the purest form of art in its intrinsic human relatability. Any number of emotions can bring about a potent art experience, but in sensual desire there is the possibility for joy, insecurity, silliness, vanity, empowerment, vulnerability, so many things. Kink: The Seduction of Art is an endeavor to explore the theme of erotic art in a contemporary context. With new pieces created specifically for the exhibit by many of the twenty-three artists, the theme is visited with multiple enthusiastic points of view. How each artist determined their individual definition of ‘erotic art’ was left entirely open ended. The result was a varied repertoire of insight into the way we collectively regard sex, sexuality and ultimately a significant element of being human.

The experience of the erotic can be subtle or overwhelming, the hint of pleasurable potentials in the dance and drama between the subject and object of desire. It can also be the frenzied and urgent rush of motivating brain chemicals, dopamine, adrenaline, serotonin, that spins us into fantasy beyond any sense of the rational or real, an experience where there is only the present, and the present is only the object of our need – Laurie Hogin

The trouble with so much erotica is that the people don't seem to be having any fun. (I did) one of my mechanical drawings, and it's meant to be fun…Lots of erotica gives a clear look at something you don't often get to see, I thought I'd take it a step further. The cross-section of a couple engaged in fellatio highlights the peculiarity of sexuality. Viewed through a scientific lens, lots of things seem absurd. - Peter Zokosky

I have always felt an urgent drive to create figurative images; and more specifically, images of myself. While there are several themes in my self-portraits, the subject of eroticism remains constant. I often find myself obsessively seeking out erotic art and ways to incorporate it in my work. Other times, the sensuality comes through in the drawing on its own. I often attribute this to the act of drawing being very physical and guttural. Whether consciously or subconsciously, eroticism is always present in my work. The ultimate goal when drawing my fleshy figures is to create arousing, bodily, honest images to envelope the viewer. - Christine Wuenschel

She is the ultimate fetishistic irony: the sexed up Barbie doll with her long blonde hair, huge bust and high heels presents as the consummate erotic object. But when you get down to business, there’s no there there. It’s all promise and no pay day. I love that Barbie’s crotch is as inauthentic as the rest of her. She is forever both the virgin and the whore. But here’s what’s kinky, that plastic chastity belt of a vagina, weirdly enhances her appeal as it makes possessing her the ultimate unattainable. - Daena Title

Both (pieces in the show) are meditations on the nature of sexual awakening. The floating character (think Ophelia) in “Mastering the ways of the Marsh” floats, corpse-like, just below the surface of the water. Only the tips of his shoes, one finger, part of his head and his erect penis emerge from the water. Water in my work generally symbolizes the unconscious; dreams, desires, fears, the id in general. He is intently focused on controlling the hovering bees, through some sort of telekinesis, to satisfy his more than apparent urges. His entire body is rigid with sexual tension. - Fred Stonehouse

Erotic is the step between sensual and pornographic, what may be to some sensual to others erotic and others pornographic. Definitions are not something that interests me, the language to address a work of art must be learned. - Marsha Burns

Erotic art has been around forever. I particularly have been intrigued with working on Japanese rope bondage in my sculptures. I have taken a few classes with Midori, a famous dominatrix in NY that is a master of intricate Japanese rope bondage. I find the patterns of woven and knotted rope to be beautiful both visually and physically. The bondage takes on a message within the art as well. The restrictiveness of the rope shows control, sexuality and strength. – Tami King

As a society we are intensely (and erotically) fixated on ourselves. I don't mean that we are selfish - I don't think we are - just that we are focused on our own pop-modernity. We want only to see ourselves and our contemporary world reflected in all we look at and all we do. Altogether it's a sweetly adolescent attitude, also an addictive one. As Saul Bellow might say, "one wants." – David Ligare

I already had focused on this very theme back in 2001-03 when working in weekly sessions from my models. The dance, the energy with both artist and muse was enlightening, fun and intimate and made for a challenging, varied and very surprising dynamic discovery of possible expressiveness for us both (Muse + Artist). – Kim Frohsin

For further information or photos, please contact Ronald De Angelis at (310) 836-9055